Plug for electric-light fixtures



Sept. 30, 1930.- H. E. WAYLAND 1,777,187

PLUG FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT FIXTURES Filed Deo. 3, 1928 Y' IIII/ A ZEW' d' y 65 BY eym/ ATTORNEY Patentecl Sept. 30, 1930 PATENT OFFICE HUBERT E. WAYLAND, OF SOUTH KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE PLUG FOR ELECTRIC-LIGHT FIXTURES Application led December 3, 1928. Serial 170.323,35.

f'This invention relates to a plug adapted to be screwed into a socket of an electric fixture.

An object of the invention is the provision ofa plug which may be quickly inserted in the socket and requiring but a slight turn in the socket for fixing the plug in secure contact with the socket, while maintaining electrical conducting elements in proper relao tion. c a

Another object of the invention is the yprovision of a plug which may be readily inserted in a socket whenf given a slight rotation in one direction for securing the plug in operative relation in the socket while a slight turn in the opposite direction will free vvthe plug from Yengagement with the socket.V n

This invention will be best-understood 2c from aconsideration of the yfollowing detailed description, in view of the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification; nevertheless it ,is` to be understood that the linvention is not confined to the disclosure, being susceptible of 'such changes'and modifications which shall defineno material departure from the salient features of the inventionas expressed in the appended claims. Y In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a plug constructed in accordance withthe principles of my invention,

` Figure 2 is a -vertical section of the plug shown in Figure 1, i

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken along the line 3 3 of Figure 2,

VFigure 4 is a similar sectionshowing the lockingr plate in an inoperative position,

"Figure 5 is a fragmentaryvvertical section takenfalong the` line 5-*5iof Figure 6,

Figure (iis a vertical section of a modified 45" liedform of plug taken alongthe line Y and a cylinder 13 formed of insulating ma@ Figure '7 isa horizontal. section of; a modi-A terial. The bottom 14 of the socket is likewise formed of insulating material and has a` contact member 15 secured at 16 to the bottom 14. Thescrew shown at 16 is connected with one of the wires of'thefhouse 55 current while the sleeve 12 is connected to the other terminal of the house current. The sleeve, as shownfat 17, is provided with internal threads to engage the usual threads of a plug` of well known make. The plug which is constructed in accordancewith the principles of myfinvention has a body member 2O which is solid and formed of insulating material; This body has'a cenv trally disposed screw 21 threadedV into a nut 65 22 which is imbedded in thel body 20. The outer end of the-screw has a head 23 which is adapted to engage a contact member 15 when the plug is in` position. A llanged member or cap 24 formed of metal is'lo- 70 cated at the inner endof the plug and is adapted to be engaged by the head 23 of the screw 2l.V Y

An 'electric' house wire 25 is inserted through a passage inthe body 20 and is con- 75 nected to the cap 24 or the bolt 21 in' any ap proved manner.

A plate 30 is secured to one wall of a pocket 31 formed in the body member 2O and approximatelyat diametrically opposite points to the thread portions 32. A Wire 33 is inserted through apassage 34 in the body 2O and is secured to the plate 30V and in electrical contact'therewith by means of a screw 351' This plate at one end has perforated ears 36. 85

A- plate or tongue 37 has laterally disl posed lugs 38 adapted tobe received by the perforated ears 36. It will be thus seen that the plate 37 is Ypi'votally mounted on the plate 30-andthereby swingable'on the lugs 90 38 within the pocket 31. A lspring 39 has its opposite ends engaging respectively the plate 31 andthe plate 37 and has a coil portion secured,v adjacent the lugs tendingto move the plate 37 Y intoengagelnent with lthe 95 wall 40 of the' pocket31.`

The outer end'of the'plate 37 is shaped to conform to a cross sectional area of a continuation W4,of the `mutilated threads k32 which normally would'occur at points dametrically opposite said threads. The outer end of the tongue therefore has a. pair of projections 41 and 42 with a groove 43 lying etween said projections. It will also be noted that the outer edges of the projections 41 and 42, as shown at 44, are rounded in order to facilitate the insertion or removal of the plug as will be presently described.

Referring more particularly to the modified form shown in Figures 6 and 7 it will be seen that the same socket 10 is employed in connection with the modified form of the plug having a body member 50 formed of insulating material. The body has an aX- ially disposed screw 51 provided with a head 52 adapted to engage the contact 15. A clip 53 formedof metal is adapted to be engaged by the head 52. A head or screw is connected in any approved manner with an relectric wire 25 which extends through a chamber l 54 of the body 50.

A metal sleeve 55 is provided with threads 56 adapted to engage threads 17 of the socket 10. At points directly opposite the g5 threads 56 the sleeve is free of threads, as indicated at 57, and is provided with a slot 58 directly opposite a pocket 59 and co-eX- tensive with the outer end of the pocket.

A plate 60 is located within the pocket so 59 and is provided with pintles 61 located within sockets in the body 50. A spring 62 has one end engaging the plate 60 and the other end, as shown at 63, engaging one wall 64 of the 'pocket 59. llhe plate 60 engages the opposite wall 64 of the pocket 65.

The outer free end of the plate 60 projects through the opening 58 and is shaped to conform to a section of the threads 56 so that when the plug is screwed into the body the end of the plate will co-operate with the threads 56 which provides for the threading of the plug into the socket 10. A wire 66 is secured to a plate 67 which is in electrical contact with the sleeve 55. The wire 66 forms the other part of the circuit which may be extended to some electrical contrivance.

The operation of my device isas follows: In aeither casethe plug is inserted within the socket 10 and due to the fact that the plates 37 or 60 are movable against the action of their respective springs, the plates will move inwardly of their respective pockets when the lng is forced into the socket. The `insertion of the plug may be "T facilitated by a slight left hand turn ofthe plug. After the plug has been properly positioned the same is given a slight right hand turn whence thel plug will be locked in 6p" position with the contact 23; or 52 engaging the spring contact member 15. ,'When itis desired to removethe plug it is only necessary to give the plug but a slight turn whence the same maybe withdrawn from the socket.` It will be notedby this construction that ity is not necessary to revolve the plug a number of times in order to secure the same in place since but a fractional turn of the plug is necessary after the same has been inserted in the socket, thereby avoiding the unnecessary twisting of the wires of the plug.

' 1 claim l. A plug having a body formed of insulating material, a portion of the body having thread portions, and a recess diametrically opposite the threads, a metal plate pivotally mounted in the recess, and eccentric to said body, and having the free end thereof normally projecting from the recess and the marginal portion of said free end shaped to conform to a cross section of thethread portions and a spring for urging the plate to said normally projecting position.

2. A plug having a body formed of insulating material, a portion of the body having thread portions, and a recess diametrically opposite the threads, a metal plate pivotally mounted in the recess, and eccentric to said body, and having the free end thereof normally projecting from the recess and the marginal portion of said free end shaped to conformtoa cross section of thet-hread portions and a spring for urging the plate to said normallyproj ecting position, the free end of the plate at the corners thereof being rounded to facilitate the insertion of the plug.

3. A plug having a body formed of insulatingV material, a portion of the body having thread portions, and a recess diametrically e opposite the threads, a. metal plate pivotally mounted in the recess, and eccentric to said body, and having the free endjthereof no1'- mally projecting from the recess and the marginal portion'of said free end shaped to ,4 1

conform to a cross section of the thread portions and a spring for urging the plate to said normally projecting position, a terminal in the inner end of the body, a Wire connected with the terminal, and a wire connected with the plate.

' 4. A plug having a body formed of insulating material, a portion of the body having thread portions, and arecess diametrically opposite the threads, a metal, plate pivotally mounted in the recess,y and having the free end ythereof normally projecting from. the recess and the marginal portion of said free end shaped to conform to across sectionfof the thread portions, and a spring for .urgingl the plate. to said normally projectingposii tion, the pla-te being pivoted outwardly of the center so that the free end of the plate projects beyond the confines of the body? in one position, whileibeing disposed Within theA confines of the'bodv in an opposite position.

, vHUBERT l1.4 WAYIJAND. 

